For my vert build I bought a performance rebuild kit for the A500 auto. I've watched the two multi-series videos on Youtube, read through the service manual, etc. and thought I was prepared, but I'm stumped at the first DAMN step!!

I took the 7 bolts out of the overdrive to main bell housing, and it will not separate. It separates maybe 1/4" all the way around and then stops. No manner of twisting, beating with a soft mallet, etc. will separate it from the main bell. I've noticed in the videos there is a parking rod between the main housing and overdrive unit and in putting them back together it kind of just snaps in. But on dis-assembly, they just show pulling the overdrive off and the parking rod is hanging there. Is there some trick to get that rod to release in the overdrive unit? Is that's what is keeping it from sliding off or is there something else?

 

Well, I got it off....Had to take the valve body off and the c-clip to the parking rod, because I could not get the parking rod to disengage from the overdrive. Once I pulled the overdrive off, it just fell off like I would expect, so I don't know.

One thing is this tranny is NASTY....looks like some water got inside, and the oil is pure sludge. Almost like tar. Since I'm rebuilding it, I don't suppose it would hurt anything to dump the valve body, case, parts, etc. into a degreaser bath would it?

 

If I ever tear into my 42rh I am going to add this kit; http://www.tciauto.com/tc/a500-a518-...1989-1993html/
It is supposed to help add torque and power for towing.

 

I bought a full rebuild kit with ray asbestos red frictions and kolene steels as well as a similar transgo shift kit. There are two very good video series on YouTube for complete teardown and rebuild....one was just added October of last year so perfect timing for me. My rebuild stalled a bit as the valve body was just too far gone...the passages were so full of tar and varnish that multiple power washes, acetone baths, mineral spirit soaks etc still didn't get it clean enough for my comfort. You can buy a fully rebuilt with new solenoids for 85 bucks on ebay so it was worth it for my piece of mind. Lot of work to tear into a trannym..don't want to have to do it again because of gunk in a valve passage.

 

I'll keep that in mind if I ever feel like I need to redo mine. That $2K I spent still smarts.

 

Tell me about it...I feel like I'm getting nickel and dimed to death. When I started this project, I thought well, I have the major components (truck itself, new engine) so it shouldn't be too much. But the more I tore it down, the more I thought "might as well replace"...Individual parts like bearings, spark plugs, wires, gaskets, oil filter, starter, alternator, belts, brakes, suspension, etc. aren't too expensive when you're buying them a few at a time, but when I looked at my CC statement and realized I'd spent 2K on miscellaneous, it was an eye opener. Throw on top of that paint, sanding supplies, chemical strippers, vibratory polisher, dremel polishing kit, etc. and it adds up so fast. My budget for this build was 10K, including paint (3.5K). It's going to be close.

 

- wrong thread